Published: Friday, November 15, 2013 at 7:55 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, November 15, 2013 at 7:55 p.m.

Winter Haven senior diver James Voisard stands on the medal stand with his FHSAA Class 3A state championship gold medal Friday at Sailfish Splash Water Park in Stuart.

BILL KEMP | LEDGER MEDIA GROUP

Winter Haven diver James Voisard won the FHSAA Class 3A diving state title Friday at Sailfish Splash Water Park — by more than 87 points — becoming the first Blue Devils swimmer or diver to win a state title since Olympic gold medalist Rowdy Gaines won the 200 freestyle title in 1977.

“I'm just super excited,” Voisard said. “You just try to compete against yourself and pretend like you are the only one out there. When you're at practice, you just pretend like you are at a state meet so by the time you get here it is just like any other day.”

Dudley Noll was Winter Haven's last diving state champion, taking home the title in 1950, and Lakeland's Eric Moore was the last Polk County swimmer to win a state championship in 2007.

“It's been several years,” Winter Haven head coach Danny Wallace said. “He's the best diver I've ever seen in Polk County.”

Voisard, a senior, was the state runner-up last year and finished in the top 10 during his freshman and sophomore seasons. He racked up 428.85 points Friday, besting Martorana Alexandra of Fleming Island, who finished second with 416.70.

The Blue Devils boys had four divers finish in the top 13. Mason Osborn (297) was sixth, Paul Voisard (292.85) finished ninth and Morgan Osborn (262.30) was 12th.

“I think this was the funnest year of all because all four of the divers are here,” Winter Haven diving coach Dawn Voisard said. “It makes me smile as much for Mason, Morgan and Paul as much as it does for James. It made James' meet having everyone here with him.”

<p>STUART | Move over Rowdy Gaines — Winter Haven has a new state champion.</p><p>Winter Haven diver James Voisard won the FHSAA Class 3A diving state title Friday at Sailfish Splash Water Park — by more than 87 points — becoming the first Blue Devils swimmer or diver to win a state title since Olympic gold medalist Rowdy Gaines won the 200 freestyle title in 1977.</p><p>“I'm just super excited,” Voisard said. “You just try to compete against yourself and pretend like you are the only one out there. When you're at practice, you just pretend like you are at a state meet so by the time you get here it is just like any other day.”</p><p>Dudley Noll was Winter Haven's last diving state champion, taking home the title in 1950, and Lakeland's Eric Moore was the last Polk County swimmer to win a state championship in 2007. </p><p>“It's been several years,” Winter Haven head coach Danny Wallace said. “He's the best diver I've ever seen in Polk County.”</p><p>Voisard, a senior, was the state runner-up last year and finished in the top 10 during his freshman and sophomore seasons. He racked up 428.85 points Friday, besting Martorana Alexandra of Fleming Island, who finished second with 416.70.</p><p>The Blue Devils boys had four divers finish in the top 13. Mason Osborn (297) was sixth, Paul Voisard (292.85) finished ninth and Morgan Osborn (262.30) was 12th.</p><p>“I think this was the funnest year of all because all four of the divers are here,” Winter Haven diving coach Dawn Voisard said. “It makes me smile as much for Mason, Morgan and Paul as much as it does for James. It made James' meet having everyone here with him.”</p><p>Additionally, Kathleen's Hunter Gaines (271.30) finished 12th for the boys, and Mary Berdis (266.75) finished 16th for the Winter Haven girls. Incredibly, both Gaines and Berdis are first-year divers.</p><p>Polk County has produced four diving state champions including: Noll, Dunn, Jay Thompson (Bartow) in 1993 and Voisard.</p>